Shangyou Dongshan Temple

Shangyou Dongshan Temple

Shangyou Dongshan Temple is a cultural relic protection unit of Shangyou County.

Dongshan Temple is located on Dongshan Hill, 0.5 kilometers east of Dongshan Town. [Shangyou County Annals] It was originally built during the Song Dynasty and was initially named Cien Nunnery. After being abandoned for a long time, it was restored in the Yuan Dynasty. During the Ming Dynasty’s Jiajing era, Dongshan Academy was rebuilt here. In the Shunzhi era of the Qing Dynasty, it was renovated again and was once called Dongshan Nunnery. It was renamed Dongshan Temple during the Qianlong era. After being burned down during the Xianfeng era, it was rebuilt. The hill rises abruptly by the water, offering a bird’s-eye view of the entire city, and has inspired many ancient poems. Nowadays, the murals, carvings, and pavilions inside the temple have all been destroyed, leaving only the outer structure. The building covers an area of 300 square meters. It was designated as a county-level protected cultural relic in 1983.

Dongshan Temple is situated halfway up Dongshan Hill in the east of Shangyou County, nestled against the mountain and close to the water. Historically known as the foremost of Shangyou’s “Eight Scenic Spots,” it was first built during the Song Dynasty and originally named Cien Temple. The temple once housed a poem inscribed by the county magistrate Hamah during the Yuan Dynasty’s Zhizheng era (1341–1368), which was later destroyed. During the Ming Dynasty’s Zhengde era (1506–1521), “Dongshan Academy” was established here. It underwent two major restorations during the Qing Dynasty—in the Qianlong era and again in the 20th year of the Daoguang era (1841). It was destroyed by fire during the Xianfeng era (1851–1861), but was later rebuilt with funding from local gentry and renamed Dongshan Temple. Constructed mainly of wood and earth, the temple faces northwest and is situated to the southeast. It features three halls and two courtyards, with a width of 24 meters and a depth of 18 meters, covering a total area of 423 square meters. Since its establishment, the temple has undergone several name changes and holds certain value for the study of Buddhism.